Carlos Roqué Alsina


Carlos Roqué Alsina is a French composer and pianist of Argentinian origin.

Biography

Born in Buenos Aires, Alsina's career as a pianist, which began at the age of six, quickly led him to give numerous concerts first in Latin America, then in North America and finally in Europe, some under the direction of prestigious conductors: Gilbert Amy, Ernest Bour, Semyon Bychkov, Jascha Horenstein, Otto Klemperer, Manuel Rosenthal, Michel Tabachnik, among others. At the same time, he studied musical composition on his own, writing his first piece at the age of fourteen.
In Argentina, he actively participated as a pianist and composer in artistic programs of various musical institutions.
In 1964, he was invited to Germany as part of the "Artists-in-Residence" program, which gave him the opportunity to meet Iannis Xenakis, Elliott Carter and Luciano Berio. In 1965, his composition Funktionen was premiered in Darmstadt under the direction of Bruno Maderna, of whom he became the assistant to the Deutsche Oper Berlin the following year.
In 1967, a New York period began, participating in the Center of Creative and Performing Arts in New York, leading numerous master classes on contemporary piano at the University at Buffalo. He also worked at the Juilliard School in 1969 as a visiting professor. During this period, he experimented with musical theatre.
In April 1969, with Jean-Pierre Drouet, Michel Portal, and Vinko Globokar, he founded the improvisation group "New Phonic Art", which led him to give numerous concerts and to make multiple international tours.
In 1972, he settled in France.
Since 1978, in parallel to his activities as pianist and composer he has devoted himself to teaching and also teaches as a guest professor in several European institutions.
To honour his 60th birthday and his contribution to French musical life, he received a special commission from the Ministère de la Culture: Phares et Rayonnements. This anniversary was also the occasion for numerous portrait concerts celebrating his multiple career.
Today, Alsina continues to exercise his activities as a pianist, teacher and composer: recitals, master classes and productions of his works punctuate his last years and lead him to many trips in Europe, North America but also in China, Argentina etc.

Works

To date, he has written more than 110 works - including several for large orchestra, performed at most international contemporary music festivals..